Collapsible weatherproof cover for swimming pools



D. FOLKES Jan. 2, 1968 COLLAPSIBLE WEATHERPROOF COVER FOR SWIMMING POOLS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 25, 1965 FIG. 2

INVENTOR DAV/D FOL/(ES FIG. 3

ATTORNEY D. FOLKES 3,361,144

COLLAPSIBLE WEATHERPROOF COVER FOR SWIMMING POOLS Jan. 2, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed Oct. 23, 1965 INVENTOR DAV/D FOL/(E3 ATTORNEY United States Patent M 3,361,144 COLLAPSIBLE WEATHERPROOF COVER FOR SWIMMING POOLS David Folkes, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, assignor to Fold-Way Covers Limited Filed Oct. 23, 1965, Ser. No. 503,690 4 Claims. (Cl. 135-1) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This specification discloses a collapsible transparent weatherproof cover for swimming pools and which cover comprises a plurality of arch shaped transverse ribs of channel cross section, with the lower end of each rib carrying a pair of grooved rollers, a pair of side rails on which the rollers ride, collapsible bracing struts connecting adjacent ribs, transparent plastic sheets extending between each pair of adjacent ribs; with the end edges of the sheets clamped to the respective ribs; and a plurality of rigid bracing struts each of which is anchored at one end to the rib at one end of the cover at spaced points with the other ends of the bracing struts being united and adapted to be embedded in the ground at one end of a swimming pool to hold the cover in effective position relative thereto.

The invention relates to a collapsible temporary structure for use as a cover for swimming pools and the like.

The sales of private swimming pool installations, particularly in temperate climates are often restricted by the variations in the weather which tend to limit the use of an outdoor pool to two to three months of the year. The use period can sometimes be extended by erecting wind barriers around the pool but notwithstanding this, the fact that the pool is open to the air results in a substantial heat loss every night and as a result the water is often at an uncomfortably low temperature. However, the cost of erecting a permanent covering or canopy over a pool is very great, and in addition, it substantially decreases the appeal of the pool in the warmer summer months since families will usually wish to swim in the pool and to sun bathe around the edge and this will be impossible where there is a permanent covering. In some cases, removable canopies or coverings have been provided for swimming pools usually being of such a size and complex structure that their cost was even greater than that of a permanent structure.

Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a collapsible cover for swimming pools and the like which is simple and economical to build and which is so constructed as to be readily assembled on the site and to be collapsible and erectable by a home owner.

More particularly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide an apparatus having the foregoing advantages which is substantially transparent so as to permit heating of the pool by the suns rays during the day.

More particularly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide an apparatus having the foregoing advantages in which individual panels of the transparent material may be readily replaced.

More particularly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide an apparatus having the foregoing advantages which may be left in position beside the pool or the like when in its collapsed condition without requiring removal and occupation of space for storage.

It is a further objective to provide a temporary structure, preferably providing a transparent canopy, for use as a greenhouse or removable utility cover for automobiles and the like.

The foregoing and other advantages will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodi- 3,361,144 Patented Jan. 2, 1968 ment of the invention which is here given by Way of example only with reference to the following drawings, in which like reference devices refer to like parts thereof throughout the various views and diagrams, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective illustration of a swimming pool cover according to the invention erected in position and showing one portion thereof collapsed;

FIGURE 2 is an end elevational view, partially in section, along the line 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional detail along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a greatly enlarged perspective illustration of the detail shown in the circle 4 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a greatly enlarged side elevational view of the detail shown in circle 5 of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 6 shows the detail of FIGURE 5 in another position.

It will be noted from the drawings that this preferred embodiment of the invention comprises as basic members a plurality of transverse generally arch-shaped hoops or frame members indicated as 10 which are arranged and braced to provide support for a series of strip like plastic panels 11 so as to provide a generally arch-shaped canopy structure for maximum strength and resistance to loads such as may be caused by heavy rain or snow. One end of the structure is supported by means of the three end bracing struts 12 anchored to one of frames 10 and at their lower ends being united together and fastened in the ground so as to support the same in its collapsed condition. It will be noted from FIGURE 1 that the collapsing action consists essentially of a concertina-type movement with frames 10 remaining in their arch position but being pushed against one another in sequence. In this way, in their collapsed position, the frames 10 and supporting structure and the plastic panels 11 occupy somewhat less than ten percent of their extended length, thereby providing a pool area substantially clear of obstruction during the summer months, with the exception of the collapsed or stored structure which will remain erected at one end of the pool being supported by members 12.

From FIGURE 2 it will be noted that each of frames 10 consist essentially of a continuous steel rib member 13 bent into substantially arch-like shape and provided with interior support comprising bracing rods 14. At the lower ends of rib members 13 there are provided means for rolling thereof for collapsing and extending as aforesaid consisting essentially of wheels or casters 15 rotatably mounted in tandem between mounting plates 16 which are welded or bolted to rib members 13. Frames 10 are linked together with one another by a series of generally horizontally extending bracing struts 17 (see FIGURE 5) consisting of strut portions 17a and 17b hingedly mounted to adjacent frames 10 at spaced intervals around the arched shape thereof and having their free ends hingedly connected together by means of bolt 18, strut portion 17a is further provided with extension or sleeve 19 adapted to fit around and engage the end portion of strut por tion 17b to receive bolt 18 and permit hinging in thereof over a wide arc, locking bar 19a being fastened across the ends of flanges 19 to abut against strut portion 17b when in the extended position at a point just past alignment with strut portion 17a, and maintain the same in their extended position.

The individual panels 11 of plastic material are preferably comprised of transparent sheet polyvinyl chloride plastic, which are sewn together and clamped within rib members 13 around the contour thereof. For this purpose, ribs 13 are constructed as shown in FIGURE 3 and comprise essentially a rectangular channel shape in section having an inner wall side walls 21 and outer Walls 22 defining a continuous opening therebetween. A continuous clamping bar 23 is slidably located within the rib member 13 and may be drawin into engagement with outer Wall portions 22 for clamping of plastic sheets 11 therebetween by means of a series of clamping bolts 24 adapted to pass within the opening bet-ween walls 22 as aforesaid and threadably engage bar 23.

The end walls of the structure are also collapsible and are preferably constructed of a series of vertical frame members 25 of similar cross-section to rib members 13 as illustrated in FIGURE 3, and interconnected by collapsible struts 26 of similar construction to struts 17 permitting the same to be folded double for collapsing thereof (as shown partially in FIGURE 2). In order to permit collapsing of the frame portions 25 towards one another, the plastic material 11 mounted thereon is preferably attached around the arch shaped periphery of the endmost frame member 10 by means of series of crown fasteners or the like (not shown).

In order to permit collapsing and extending as aforesaid, mounting means are permanently fastened around the pool or other area to be covered consisting essentially of parallel steel rail members 27 fastened to the sur roundings of the pool or to the ground by any suitable means such as a series of wooden anchor boards 2% and spaced apart from one another a distance corresponding to the spacing between the ends of rib members 13. A series of crown fasteners may be provided along the lower periphery of plastic panels 11 for engagement with similar crown fasteners for example to wooden anchor boards 28. Similarly, where the end walls of the structure are to be collapsible as described in connection with FIGURE 2, similar rails indicated as 29 are provided anchored to anchor boards 30 and the plastic panels 11 are fastened thereto as by crown fasteners. (not shown) In operation, plastic panels 11 will be attached to rib members 13 by first of all withdrawing slide members 23 therefrom and then inserting folds of panels 11 within the opening between wall portions 22 thereof and subsequently sliding clamping members 23 therealong and fastening the same in clamped engagement by means of bolts 24. The adjacent frame members 10 may then be moved into their fully extended apart position by simply drawing the same along rails 27 and strut portions 17a and 1712 are forced into their extended position with locking bar 19a lying along and around strut portion 17b holding the same in such position. Collapsing of the structure may be effected by applying pressure to strut portions 17a and 17b in the region of flanges 19 at bolt 18 in a direction causing disengagement of locking sleeve 19a from strut portion 17b and thereafter rolling the released frame member 10 towards the next adjacent member. These movements may be repeated in sequence until all such frame members are lying closely adjacent to one another at one end of the pool. The same operation essentially will be carried out with respect to extension and collapsing of the end portions of the structure comprising vertical frames 25 and extendable struts 26.

For purposes of entry and exit a door flap of plastic (not shown) :may be provided in one or both of the ends of the structure and fastened by crown fasteners to the adjacent plastic thereof.

The foregoing is a description of a preferred embodiment of the invention which is here made by way of example only. The invention is not to be taken as limited to the specific steps described but comprehends all such variations that come within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a collapsible cover intended for use with a swiming pool; a pair of rails adapted to be anchored in position at the opposite sides of a swimming pool; a plurality of transverse arch shaped ribs of channel cross-section each have two lower free ends; a roller at each end of each rib in operative engagement with one of said rails; collapsible bracing struts extending between and connecting each pair of adjacent ribs, each of said bracing struts consisting of a pair of pivotally connected strut members with an end of each of said members being pivotally connected to a rib, and locking means for maintaining the strut member in an extended position; a plurality of sheets of transparent plastic corresponding in number to the number of pairs of adjacent ribs, each end edge of each of said plastic sheets being clamped to one of said ribs; and a plurality of rigid end bracing struts each having an end anchored to the rib at one end of the cover with the points of anchorage spaced along the rib; and the other ends of said end bracing struts being united and adapted to be embedded in the ground at one end of the pool.

2. The swimming pool cover of claim 1 in which the rails take the form of vertical bars and the rollers have grooves receiving edge portions of said bars.

3. The swimming pool cover of claim 1 in which the pivotal connection between the sturt members of each collapsible strut comprise a pair of flanges which are anchored to an end of one strut member and receive therebetween the adjacent end of the other strut member, a pivot pin passing through through said flanges and the strut member therebetween, and a locking bar extending between said flanges and engaged by said strut member therebetween when the strut is extended.

4. The swimming pool cover of claim 1 in which the clamping of the edges of the plastic sheets in achieved by a slide received in the channel of each rib and rigid against edge portions of the sheets and the bottoms of the channels by screws.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,344,717 6/1920 Puff -5 1,427,749 8/ 1922 Leech l355 3,030,973 4/1962 Janda 135-1 3,131,705 5/1964 Marino 135-5 3,165,110 1/1965 Brooks 135-3 3,166,117 1/1965 Abadjielf 392 REINALDO P. MACHADO, Primary Examiner. 

